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To simplify or reduce an improper fraction, you can divide the numerator and denominator by the greatest common factor of both numbers. For example, if you are given the fraction

36/60; the common factors of the numerator (36) are 2, 3, 4, 6, 9, 12, and 18. The common factors of the denominator are 2, 3, 5, 6, 10, 12, and 20. We can see that 12 is the largest common factor between the numerator and denominator.

Divide the numerator and denominator by 12: 36 / 12 = 3, and 60 / 12 = 5. We see that the fraction reduces to

3/5.

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14y ago
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11y ago

The greatest common factor (GCF) is a factor that divide 2 or more numbers.

To make this understandable, the example is provided:

Find the GCF of 4 and 8. Factor out each term to get:

4 = 2²

8 = 2³

Note that 4 and 8 have 2²'s in common. Select 2², and that is the GCF of the term.

Once you've found the GCF, divide that number into both the numerator and the denominator. The result will be the simplest form of the fraction. For instance,

4 / 8 = 2² / 2³ = 2² * 1 / (2² * 2) 1 / 2

Divide each term by 2² to simplify the fraction!

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8y ago

The least common factor of any set of numbers is 1, so that doesn't help at all. Finding the GCF of the numerator and denominator and dividing them by it will help to simplify a fraction. Finding the least common multiple of the denominators (called the least common denominator) will help when you add and subtract fractions. None of those are needed to multiply fractions.

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8y ago

That depends on what you want to do with them. Since fractions aren't equations, they don't need to be "solved." Sometimes they need to be reduced. To do that, find the GCF of the numerator and denominator and divide them both by it. If the GCF is 1, the fraction is in its simplest form. Sometimes unlike fractions need to be added and subtracted. To do that, find the LCM of the denominators and convert them to like fractions.

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11y ago

After you're done multiplying, the GCF will help you determine the simplest form of the answer.

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11y ago

Divide the GCF into the numerator and denominator. The result will be the simplest form of the fraction.

Example: 30/42

The GCF is 6.

The simplest form is 5/7

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Q: How can you use the greatest common factor to find the simplest form?
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What is the greatest common factor in how is it used to find the simplest form of a fraction?

The greatest common factor, or GCF, is the largest positive integer that will divide evenly with no remainder into all the members of a given set of numbers. If you find the GCF of the numerator and denominator of a fraction and divide them by it, you will find the simplest form of the fraction. If the GCF is 1, the fraction is already in its simplest form.


What is the Greatest common factor and how is it used to find the simplest form?

The greatest common factor, or GCF, is the largest positive integer that will divide evenly with no remainder into all the members of a given set of numbers. If you find the GCF of a numerator and a denominator and divide them both by it, the result will be the simplest form of the fraction. If the GCF is 1, the fraction is already in its simplest form.


What is the greatest common factor of45 and 75?

There cannot be a greatest common factor (GCF) of just one number. To be common there need to be at least two numbers. If you find all the factors of two or more numbers, and you find some factors are the same ("common"), then the largest of those common factors is the Greatest Common Factor.


What is the greatest common factor of 1440?

There cannot be a greatest common factor of just one number. To be common there need to be at least two numbers. If you find all the factors of two or more numbers, and you find some factors are the same ("common"), then the largest of those common factors is the Greatest Common Factor.


How do you find the greatest common factor when there are no common factors?

There is always a common factor. If there are no common prime factors, the GCF is 1.

Related questions

How can the greatest common factor help you write a fraction in simplest form?

Find the greatest common factor between the numerator and the denominator, then divide the numerator by greatest common factor and then divide denominator by greatest common factor, for a new simplified fraction.


How do you write a fraction in its simplest term?

find the greatest common factor divide by it then you have an answer


Fraction into simplest form?

you find the GCF (GREATEST COMMON FACTOR) then you divide or multiply you can pick and then you get you simplest from of the fraction


What should you do to find a fractions simplest form and only have to divide once?

You have to find the greatest common factor between the numerator and the denominator. Then you divide numerator and denominator by this greatest common factor. There are several methods to find the greatest common factor. Note that "dividing only once" is not necessarily to your advantage; it is easier to divide by ANY common factor you find, and then continue looking for additional factors.


How is a Greatest common Factor used to find the simplest form of a fraction?

If the GCF of the numerator and the denominator is 1, the fraction is in its simplest form.


Do you do a factor rainbow for greatest common factor?

You do a factor rainbow to find a prime factorization. You compare prime factorizations to find a greatest common factor.


What is the greatest common factor in how is it used to find the simplest form of a fraction?

The greatest common factor, or GCF, is the largest positive integer that will divide evenly with no remainder into all the members of a given set of numbers. If you find the GCF of the numerator and denominator of a fraction and divide them by it, you will find the simplest form of the fraction. If the GCF is 1, the fraction is already in its simplest form.


How is the greatest common factor used to find simplest form of fraction?

Find the GCF of the numerator and denominator and divide them both by it. If the GCF is 1, the fraction is in its simplest form.


Find the greatest common factor of 84 and 72?

The Greatest Common Factor (GCF) is: 12


How do you find the greatest common factor of 154 and 418?

The greatest common factor (GCF) is 2.


Find the greatest common factor of 16 and 20?

The greatest common factor (GCF) is 4.


Find the greatest common factor of 18 and 75?

The greatest common factor (GCF) is 3.